Shipp, Ward lead Chicago Fire past D.C. United 2-0

BRADENTON, Fla. (Feb. 8, 2014) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club defeated D.C. United 2-0 in preseason action Saturday evening at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Fire Homegrown product Harry Shipp tallied a goal and assist as the Fire won their second consecutive preseason match.

With both sides trading looks on goal, the Fire’s best goal-scoring opportunity in the first half came in the 44th minute when Dilly Duka unleashed a long-range, bending effort that forced a diving save from D.C. United ‘keeper Bill Hamid.

After a scoreless first half, Fire Head Coach Frank Yallop fielded an entirely new group of 11 players to start the second half in a move that would pay immediate dividends.

In the 48th minute, Quincy Amarikwa received a throw-in from Steven Kinney and found Benji Joya, who dribbled into the box and bent his right-footed shot past Dykstra and off the left post. Shipp, who was trailing the play, pounced on the rebound and sent his sliding, left-footed shot into the goal for the opening goal of the match.

Shipp would again prove dangerous in the 80th minute when he received a Hunter Jumper throw-in and turned towards goal. The Fire Academy product dribbled into the box and with a low, driven cross, found Grant Ward unmarked at the penalty spot and the Englishman calmly doubled the Fire’s lead.

Next up for the Men in Red in Bradenton are defending USL-PRO champions Orlando City SC on Feb. 11 at 6:00 p.m. CT and D.C. United on Feb. 12 at 9:00 a.m. CT.

The Fire will host 2013 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners New York Red Bulls for Opening Day, presented by Giordano’s Chicago Pizza, at Toyota Park on Sunday, March 23 at 2:00 p.m. CT. The Men in Red will begin their 17th season two weeks prior on the road when they visit Chivas USA at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., on Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m. CT.

Single game tickets to the Fire’s 17 MLS Regular Season home matches and to the July 26 international friendly against Barclay’s Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur FC are now available via Ticketmaster and www.Chicago-Fire.com.